The Darkness Inside

7

Jared Hank is outside knocking on my window. That's a sentence I never thought I would say. Should I let him in? Wait. Isn't he dating Meredith Chase?! She's totally put him up to this!

Could you really blame her loser?

I decide I should probably let him in. It would look weird with a guy hanging on my windowsill all night. I go open the window.

"What are you doing Jared? It's 9:30 and I have a five year old sister. Besides, why should I let you in?! I barely know you!"

"That's what I was wanting to do. Let's play 20 questions on your roof. It'll be like one of those cliche movies!"

Jared POV

Grace is standing in her room with a messy ponytail, John Lennon tee shirt, and track shorts. She looks amazing.

Jared stop! You're only doing this for Meredith, your hot, blonde girlfriend. This isn't a romance movie!

Grace has a puzzled look on her face but I keep noticing she's trying to hide something behind her back.

"C'mon Grace let's goooooo!"

"Fine Jared, but let me grab my hoodie."

"Why? It's like 3 million degrees out here!"

She looks flushed, but grabs her hoodie anyways.

"I'm just..cold I guess."

We're climbing on her roof and she's an extremely fast climber. I didn't even think she'd be able to get up here, nevertheless beat me at it.

"So Grace, I'll go first."

Her blue eyes look deeper than the ocean as the moon reflects off of her. She won't make eye contact with me, but I'm a head turner, so this is no big deal for me.

"What's your middle name?"

"Grace Paisley Tate."

"Paisley. I like it. You know, you would be cool if you'd talk up sometimes."

"I don't want to."

"But why?"

"Jared you just had a turn its mine now."

She's smirking and she looks so devious.

"Okay Jared, what's it like being popular?"

I've never really thought about it before, because I don't know what to say right off the bat.

"Oh it's amazing. Huge parties every weekend, football games, you know the norm."

"Oh, that seems fun I guess. I like to keep to myself. I read and write a lot."

"You're smart, well you're smarter than people give you credit for."

She smiles and when she does I can see one dimple in her cheek. Even when she smiles, she seems sad.

"My turn. Okay. Why are you so sad all of the time Grace Paisley Tate?"

She cringed when I said her full name, which kind of worried me a bit, but otherwise she looked deep in thought.

"I'm not sad. Okay? What kind of music do you like?"

"Rock. Why are you lying to me?"

She seems taken back by the question.

"What are you talking about?"

"You're lying when you say you aren't sad. I can see it in your eyes."

She looks at me with complete seriousness.

"Jared, this is just my face!"

I'm laughing until I'm sure the neighbors are thinking there's a hyena outside. It's nice to see her smile. She's beautiful.

Oh my gosh. Stop Jared. You have standards.

"Seriously though Grace. Why?"

"It's tough being loser girl."

"Don't call yourself that. You're not a loser."

"You said it yourself."

"Why do you listen to me? I'm just an arrogant football player!"

She laughs again and my heart melts. Why am I feeling like this? I know I shouldn't like this girl. I mean she's loser girl! But I want her to be my loser girl..

Okay that's it. You need to abort your mission.

"Jared. Go home."

"What? Why?"

"You don't want to be here. Go. Go have fun with Meredith."

She's starting to tear up and I can't help but to be sad for her. Somethings going on with her.

"You're my friend. I think. But you obviously need me. C'mon. I'll come in the front door so your mom can see how civilized I am."

"Jared that's not a very good-"

"Okay. I'll see you in a sec."

I jump off and go to the front door. I don't know why I'm still here. I just feel like I NEED to comfort her.

Grace POV

My mom let Jared in to help me with "homework". He came up to my room and sat on my bed. I feel so useless. He doesn't like me. Nobody does. I hate myself. I just let it out.

"Awe come here Grace Paisley."

I didn't move.

He came over to me and put his arms around me. And I sobbed into his chest. He smells like cologne and I'm slowly falling asleep just being in the presence of it.

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~Authors note: Thanks for voting guys! I hope you like it! If you have anything that I can do to make the experience a little better just let me know! Thanks :* -GT